Once You'Ve Touched the Heart (10 page)

A
shley beamed with pride as she and Tracy rode the elevator to the 12
^th
floor of the state building. She had finally contributed to the company she and Tracy started during their junior year at Harmon. Well to be honest it was really Tracy. As a way of making money, Tracy began working for a small business in the Norfolk area as a filing clerk. In the course of her job, she began making suggestions on how to organize and work more efficiently. The owner was so impressed with the outcome of Tracy’s suggestions that she introduced her to a few other mom and pop business owners in the area. Tracy seemed to have the same magical touch for them. Her boss suggested Tracy start an efficiency business that specialized in small business organizations. One of the top reasons small businesses failed was because the owners knew their tasks very well, but did not know the business end. Tracy began with 3 small businesses that she acted as a consultant to help organize and then ventured into suggestions on investing their capital. The only problem was Tracy was not a people person, so explaining to people what she did was difficult. That’s where Ashley came in. She had no problem talking to people and loved to boast about Tracy’s IQ. So, she began talking to other business owners about what Tracy was capable of and Next Level Consulting was formed. Ashley would set up meetings to get the clients interested. Then Tracy would go into the business and assess the need. She would put a proposal together then explain it to Ashley, who would in turn present the project to the clients for a very reasonable fee. By the end of their junior year, they had 6 clients with five-year contracts. At the end of their senior year they had twenty. By the time they graduated, Next Level Consulting was grossing enough income to give both of them six-figure salaries.

At Next Level Consulting, things were progressing. Proud of the fact that she had initiated and closed their first major deal, Ashley
set
up a meeting for Tracy and the Commissioner of Special Services, James Brooks, to meet. He had signed the contract, but wanted to meet with the person At Next Level who would be handling employee development. The meeting was being held at the state office, which was located on Broad Street in downtown Richmond. When Ashley and Tracy stepped into the office, there were several people present. Ashley stepped forward. “Hello, Mr. Brooks, it’s good to see you again. This is Tracy Washington, owner and developer for Next Level Consulting.”

Tracy extended her hand. “Good morning, Mr. Brooks.”

“Ms. Washington, it is indeed a pleasure to finally meet you.” He smiled. “Let me introduce my staff: Angel Brown, Human Resources, Herman Kraft, Accounting, and Karen Holt, Assistant Commissioner.”

Ashley began the program. “Good morning, everyone. If you will take a seat, we can get started.”

She waited a moment while everyone took a seat and settled down.

“Thank you. My name is Ashley Harrison. This lovely person is Tracy Washington. We are the owners of Next Level Consulting. Before we get started, we would like to take a moment to thank you for entrusting your organization with us. Now, we will show you how we plan to reward that trust. I will be handling the presentation and Ms. Washington, our efficiency expert, will be available for technical questions.”

Ashley gave a clear, concise presentation, not leaving anything to chance. Tracy answered all questions regarding how the tasks would be accomplished. The two of them together could convince a drowning man to buy a case of bottled water.

After the meeting James approached Tracy. “Ms. Washington,” he said in a rich, deep voice, “Ashley tells me you are the person who actually put together the package for our organization.”

“Yes, I am.”

“I must say I’m more than impressed and a little astonished.”

“Astonished?” Tracy questioned. “Why
?
”

“The layout of the plan is nothing less than brilliant. I have no doubt if the plan is followed this agency will experience the efficiency level we need to serve the public.”

“I believe that also. That’s what you were looking for. Did you doubt our ability to deliver?”

“Usually that level of comprehension and detail comes from experience. You don’t appear to be much over the age of 18. Yet you have a firm grasp on the pulse of the business world.”

Tracy thought for a moment. This was the very reason she preferred not to deal with clients, because of her tendency to say exactly what came to mind, which, on most occasions, was not very tactful.

“Mr. Brooks, I genuinely believe there was a compliment in that statement. I am certain that it was not a question of the integrity of our company.”

He smiled. “You are very protective of your company. That’s admirable. But please know I was simply admiring your work.”

“If that’s the case, please accept my apology. And, yes, I am very protective of our reputation. We are a young organization, as you mentioned.” She smiled. “I’m afraid our reputation is all we have at this point.”

James was more than a little taken with this beautiful young woman standing in front of him.

“Well, Ms. Washington, I will be open to accept that apology over lunch. Will you join me?”

Tracy frowned a little, then smiled. “In case you haven’t picked up on this little tidbit, I’m not the people person in our organization. Believe me, there is a reason for that. I’m certain I would bore you to death. So before I cause more damage than I already have, I’ll pass on lunch.”

“You know, a simple no would have sufficed,” he said with a laugh.

She laughed with him. James’s heart
leapt
at her smile.

“Do you know your face light
s
up when you smile?”

Tracy stepped back. She was a little uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going. Sensing her uneasiness, James commented, “Please know I don’t mean to be offensive and normally I am not so forward. But I am more than a little impressed with you.”

Tracy blushed. “Thank you.”

“Are we ready to wrap up?” Ashley asked as she approached.

“Yes, I believe we are,” Tracy replied. “Mr. Brooks, it was a pleasure.” Tracy extended her hand.

“The pleasure was entirely mine.” He took Tracy’s hand and held it. She pulled away after a moment.

“Good day, Mr. Brooks,” Ashley said as they walked away.

Tracy turned back and smiled.

♥

JD could not sleep. He would usually call Carolyn or some other lady to help him relax, but not tonight. His mind kept thinking about Tracy. So he called Calvin instead.

“Hey, man, you asleep?” JD asked.

“Well, let me think about that for a minute, JD.” Calvin yawned. “Not anymore. What’s up?’’

“I’m trying to work on this plea agreement and I need your help.”

“I thought the agreement was 40 years on the kingpin charge and 10 on the racketeering, to be served concurrently.”

“That was it, but I need to do something a little different,” JD said and then went silent.

When JD did not continue, Calvin asked, “What are you not telling me?”

“I need something that would satisfy Gavin, the AG’s office, and not be devastating to Tracy.”

For some reason, that was very important to him. It should not play a role in his decision, but it did. He did not want to destroy the trust he saw in Tracy’s eyes the night before. Calvin sat up in bed, turned to look at Jackie, lying next to him. He did not want to leave that woman tonight.

“All right, man, you better be glad I love you like a brother. I’ll be there in 15.”

JD had a drink waiting for him when he arrived. Calvin took the drink and looked at JD. “Tracy, huh?” Calvin smirked.

JD turned and started talking about the case. Calvin sipped his drink and wondered to himself how JD was going to pull this one off. He had no doubt that JD would find a way, but it was always amazing to see his mind at work.

The arraignment was held at 8:00
a.m
. in Judge Margaret W. Mathew’s courtroom. Judge Maggie, as JD referred to her, was tough but fair, and he knew he could trust her to do the right thing by Al. The deal took place with the Attorney General, JD, Calvin, Day’s attorney and of course Al. One officer and a clerk reporter were in the courtroom. Al accepted the deal and the conviction was sealed with sentencing guidelines and location. No one outside of that courtroom knew where Al Day was going, and JD wanted to make sure it stayed that way.

Day’s information was damaging enough to make a few people in the homicide division very uncomfortable. The information on Gavin could be harmful to someone running for political office. JD was convinced the whole story had not surfaced yet. His instincts told him something was missing. He decided to hold off on the information Al had given him until he was sure what had taken place. JD believed Gavin made this information surface because he wanted Al out of the way before he made a bid for the governor’s office. However, he wasn’t convinced Gavin would have Al killed. However, this left enough doubt for JD not to trust Gavin on this case. Therefore the only people privy to any information were JD and his select few.

As JD left the courtroom he knew he had a few things to wrap up in his life. There was no better time than the present. He placed a call to Carolyn and arranged to see her that evening. Upon his return to the office, he checked in with Mrs. Langston. “Hello, Mrs. Langston, everything okay around here?” JD asked as she handed him his messages.

“Mr. Roberts is looking for you, has been all morning. Every 15 minutes or so. It’s about time for him right about now. Hmm, what do
you know, there he is. Mr. Roberts, guess who I found for you?”

She looked at JD and started laughing under her breath.

“Thanks a lot, friend,” JD joked. “Gavin, they tell me you’ve been looking for me, what’s up?” JD asked while reading his messages.

“JD, let me talk to you for a minute.”

“Sure, your office or mine?”

“Yours will do.”

“That’s good; at least I know I’m not being fired.” JD winked at Mrs. Langston.

They walked to JD’s office. He closed the door, put down his briefcase, then sat at his desk.

“What can I do for you, Gavin?”

“Well, I received a call from the Attorney General himself congratulating me on a job well done with the Day case. Now, I’m sure you can imagine my surprise to find out the case is a done deal.”

“Oh, yeah, that was wrapped up this morning. Made an offer, Day accepted, the court had an opening. The AG got it in on the docket; closed the deal. Indictment, conviction, and sentencing all in one day. I tell you, Gavin, I like the way they operate over there. No bullshit back and forth trying to get deals approved.” JD sat forward, put his hands across the desk, and glared at Gavin. Gavin knew JD very well. The tone in his voice and the look on his face told him JD had something but wasn’t talking.

“Anything I should be aware of?” Gavin questioned.

“Not at this time,” JD said, sitting back, “but I will let you know if anything comes up.”

“So you found Day’s sister?” Gavin smirked.

“Wasn’t hard, but you knew that. Here’s something else you should know. She has my protection now. As long as she is happy, I’m happy.”

“JD,” Gavin said as he stood, “if I didn’t know better, I would think that sounded like a threat.”

“No,” JD replied as he stood. “It would only sound like that if there was something to be threatened by. You have no reason to be threatened by me, unless something happens to her. As far as I’m concerned, it’s business as usual.”

Gavin acknowledged JD’s statement by nodding his head and walked out of the room.

JD exhaled. “One issue wrapped up, on to the next.”

Gavin went to his office and made a call. “Harrison knows something, but he’s not going to talk if you stay away from the girl,” Gavin stated.

“Harrison is just like his father, straight as they come. How do you know he won’t come after us?”

“I don’t think he has us, I think he has me. We can’t take any chances on this. I’m the one who stands to lose everything I’ve worked 20 years for. All we want is Day silent. She is our assurance that he won’t talk. As long as JD has a hand in this nothing will come out.”

“Are you sure of that, Gavin?”

“He gave his word. But to be safe, I have something that will keep him occupied.”

♥

Tracy was already in the office working when Ashley got in around 8. “What the hell did you do, come in at dawn?” Ashley asked while pouring a cup of coffee.

Tracy looked up. “No,” she replied laughing. “I got in around 7 and started working on Brooks’s project.”

“Oh, yes, my first closer, you must make that one good. My reputation is on the line,” Ashley boasted.

“Well, I’ve got to give it to you, you made a good deal. I taught you well.” Tracy smiled and stepped around to the front of her desk and gave Ashley a high five.

“I feel like I’m contributing now, not just hanging on your skirt tail.”

Tracy looked at her with a frown. “You always contributed.”

Ashley sat down on the sofa next to the door. “Yeah, but not like you. All I did was talk to people. You put the packages together and keep the ball rolling. I just bring them in. It’s your work that keeps them sending in their friends for consultations.”

“It takes both pieces to make the company successful,” Tracy said and sat on the edge of her desk. “I can’t persuade people like you can and your mind can’t work like mine.”

“Girl, you are so right. That piece you put in about matching employee contributions in the investment plan was really a deal sealer. James loved it,” Ashley exclaimed.

“That’s good to know; tells me he’s into his employee’s well-being and personal growth.”

“Okay, whatever.” Ashley took a sip of her coffee. “So, what’s up with you and JD?”

Tracy tilted her head to the side and got up. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw you two in the yard talking the other night.”

“Oh, that was about Turk and what he is doing with the case.”